Faux Metal Embellishments

Looking for sophisticated but budget friendly embellishments? You'll want to check out pages 84-85 of the February 2010 issue of Crafts 'n Things for striking examples.
At first glance, you'll think that these projects are adorned with pricey metals and their lightness may cause slight confusion. The foundation is simple and one that is in the supply closet of many paper crafters. The secret is Perfect Pearls™ and great die cuts by Spellbinders.
The first of my projects is this "Key to My Heart" card. The Distressed Floral background (Tim Holtz™ Collection, Stampers Anonymous) provides a lovely back drop for the lock and key. Both glisten in the light like the real thing.

Next, my "Illuminata Tag." The rusted effect of the die cut is the perfect enhancement for the classic Illuminata stamp (Inkadinkado®).True sophistication.

Last, but by no means least, a "Regal ATC" featuring Tim Holtz Creative Block #25 (Tim Holtz™ Collection, Stampers Anonymous.) The green patina seems to ooze from the flourish and fleur-de-lis just as it would from the real thing.

If you have never tried Perfect Pearls™, I hope these projects will encourage you to add them to your supply stash. Whether you want to include a sparkle of glitz or the impression of aged metal, you'll find a them "perfect" fit for your needs.

Melting Pot® Valentines

Who hasn’t heard of the edgy English stamp company Paper Artsy. It’s hard for me to believe that it’s been almost five years since I first met Leandra Franich at CHA. The next year she would return as an exhibitor, and the stamping world has not been the same since.
Leandra was also a fellow “graduate” of Ranger University. In a weekend that was a whir of tips and techniques, I was fascinated with Leandra’s work and her use of Ranger products.
You may be wondering about the connection between Paper Artsy and the title of this post. When I began to consider projects for the February 2009 issue of Crafts ‘n Things, I wanted to create sophisticated non-traditional Valentines. Leandra’s Penny Plates came to mind and the results are below. No lace or frills here, but I think my Valentine will definitely “think happy thoughts” when he sees this!

I’m sure that my dear one will be also be interested in the “Bank of True Love.” Hugs and kisses are bound to result from the X’s and O’s on this card! (Stamps: Love Collage - Tim Holtz™ Collection, Stampers Anonymous page 146); Harlequin Diamonds - Postmodern Design) Check the February issue, pages 68 – 69, for detailed instructions for both these cards.

The cards below also use the Melting Pot®, Melt Art™ UTEE Brightz™ Fuchsia, and Melt Art™ UTEE Flex™. You’ll find complete directions for them at Crafts ‘n Things as well as tips for using your Melting Pot®. (If you have not joined the Crafts 'n Things community, you'll find access to bonus projects and lots of "free stuff" by simply providing your email address. Sign up and get ready for hours of exploration!)

Stamp (Hero Arts): Fancy Love

Stamps (Tim Holtz™ Collection, Stampers Anonymous): True Friendship, Scribble Heart

Snazzy Backgrounds

When I submitted this idea for a feature article in the October 2006 issue of the Rubber Stamper, I called the technique “found” backgrounds because I stamped the backgrounds using items I found around the house. TRS titled the article “Snazzy Background.” I don’t know how “snazzy” tub mats, shelf liners, and fly swatters are, but they are great tools for stamping.

The technique is simple with the right supplies. I created the backgrounds with Ranger Adirondack Inks and stamped the images with Ranger Jet Black Archival Ink. The key is to stamp on regular text weight paper (like the paper you use in your printer) since household items generally carry little ink.

In this first project, you can see the impression of the shell patterned tub mat. The background is filled by repeated stamping with shelf liner, my favorite and most used “found” items. (One pack at the dollar store will yield a life-time supply for you and several friends.) Isn’t the angel stamp great! The stamp and phrase are from Postmodern Design, and the rick rack border is by Hot Potatoes.

For this card, I stamped with a geometric patterned tub mat and then pounced an inked cosmetic sponge over metallic micro-dot ribbon. By turning the ribbon as I pounced, a geometric pattern was formed in some places. Check the skirt of the Tim Holtz “Pattern” stamp for this detail.

The third project published in TRS was this composition book. Interestingly, the back side was featured where I used fewer real stamps. Now you can see the front of the book. I stamped the background with a wavy tub mat, a shell tub mat, my trusty shelf liner, and a diamond patterned fly swatter. The suction cup on the underside of the tub mats leaves a circle print. (Look under the net to see the starfish repeatedly stamped in the background.) All stamps are by Oxford Impressions.

Now you can see the three cards that TRS didn’t publish. I stamped the “Life’s Blessings” card with bubble wrap, a flower fly swatter, and shelf liner before adding the images by Art Impressions.


For a different look, try tone-on-tone stamping as I did with the “Kind Words” card. In this case I added stamping with a small paint container to the shelf liner and bath mat – as before, with the suction cups forming interesting circles. The flower stamp is from Hero Arts and Mother Theresa speaks though a Wisecracks stamp. (I don’t know about you, but I find that amusing!)

This card makes me want to jump for joy. Well, at least it makes me smile. I’ve used the small paint container with a twisting motion to apply more ink – some circles with the lid on and some off. You can see bubble wrap, fly swatter, and the ever present shelf liner. The exuberant figure is by Stamp in the Hand and the saying is from Wordsworth.

When I started stamping with household items, it changed the way that I look at my environment. We are surrounded by interesting textures and shapes. I enjoy the challenge of using them.